Italy

Nestled on the eastern edge of the beautiful Amalfi Coast, the town of Salerno offers a blend of rich history and modern Italian charms. The historic city center is a maze of cobbled streets, vibrant piazzas and landmarks like the 11th-century Salerno Cathedral, a pilgrimage site believed to house relics of Saint Matthew in its elaborate crypt adorned in brilliant frescoes. The palm-lined waterfront promenade of Lungomare Trieste invites a seaside stroll, while the hilltop Castello di Arechi provides sweeping views from above.

With more than 1,000 miles of coastline featuring stunning beaches to contrast with its dramatic mountainous interior, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Cagliari is the island’s ancient and present-day capital, having emerged from a long and storied past that has shifted culturally, politically and artistically over its 5,000 years of ever-changing rule.

Italy’s easternmost city, Otranto sits just under the heel of the country’s boot, peering out at Albania across the Otranto Strait that separates the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Otranto’s walled Old Town has been recognized by UNESCO for historic sites such as the Aragonese Castle, which has rotating exhibits on the inside and dramatic views of the sea on the outside. Equally impressive is the Church of Saint Peter, with its Byzantine frescoes and architecture, and the Otranto Cathedral, with its rose window and an incomparable mosaic floor.

In the arch of Italy’s boot, tucked between the Mare Grande (Big Sea) and Mare Piccolo (Little Sea), sits the coastal city of Taranto. Founded by Spartans in the 8th century BC, the “City of Two Seas” is also a city of two faces with two bridges – Ponte Girevole and Ponte di San Francesco di Paola – separating the old town from the new. Legend has it that upon arrival at Taranto, Poseidon’s son saw a dolphin jumping out of the sea and took the encounter as a sign from his father that here was the place to build a town.

From spectacular beaches to prehistoric relics to a sublime culinary scene, Sardinia is a treat for any traveler. The National Archaeological Museum in Olbia lends historical context by illuminating the island’s ancient pre-Nuraghic culture as well as more recent naval history. Just outside of Olbia, get a firsthand look at Sardinia’s rich archaeological heritage at the Tomb of the Giants, a Nuraghic monument dating back 4,000 years.

Nestled along the tranquil southern shores of the Venetian Lagoon, Chioggia is a charming Italian gem that beckons travelers with its timeless allure. Known as "Little Venice" for its intricate network of picturesque canals linked by bridges, it offers a captivating blend of historic architecture, vibrant markets and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. The landscape here is considered among the most beautiful on the lagoon, long revered by artists for its light and sunny disposition.

With Catania’s lovely collection of 18th century baroque architecture at the foot of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, this striking port city on Sicily’s west coast is set against the dazzling Ionian Sea. Begin your exploration in Piazza del Duomo, an elegant and spacious square where the whimsical Fontana dell’Elefante, made of black lava rock, sits at its center. Here, you’ll also find the Cattedrale di Sant’Agata with its domed basilica, graceful frescoes and columned facade, originally built in the 1000s with a fascinating history that spans the centuries.

Situated on the heel of Italy’s boot overlooking the glittering Adriatic Sea, Brindisi is a natural port carved into a region known for its whitewashed marble and peaceful beaches. There’s much to explore along the picturesque harbor, from the rudder-shaped Monument to Italian Sailors, which you can scale for panoramic views, to the red stone Castello Alfonsino at the tip of a small island overlooking the channel.